Are There Cicadas in Ohio?
Yes, cicadas are very common throughout Ohio, with both annual and periodical varieties present. Annual cicadas emerge reliably every summer starting in June and peaking in July and August. Periodical cicadas belonging to 13-year and 17-year broods emerge in Ohio on regular schedules, sometimes creating dramatic invasions of enormous populations.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 22, 2026.
Cassin's 17-year Cicada · Nick Tobler (Cowturtle) CC BY
Dark Lyric Cicada · Cecil Smith CC BY
Prairie Cicada · Peter Chen 2.0 CC BY
- 8
- species recorded
- 5,161
- GBIF records
- August, May, June
- peak months
Yes, cicadas are in Ohio. Next you'll want:
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
10,056 verified observations on iNaturalist of cicada have been recorded in Ohio, most often in August, May, June.
When cicada are recorded in Ohio
Yes, cicadas are very common throughout Ohio, with both annual and periodical varieties present. Annual cicadas emerge reliably every summer starting in June and peaking in July and August. Periodical cicadas belonging to 13-year and 17-year broods emerge in Ohio on regular schedules, sometimes creating dramatic invasions of enormous populations.
Where Cicadas Are Found in Ohio
Cicadas occur throughout Ohio's landscape from the northern shores of Lake Erie southward to the Ohio River valley. They thrive in the state's extensive deciduous forests, including areas around the Hocking Hills and the Wayne National Forest in southeastern Ohio. The forests of northwestern Ohio around the Great Black Swamp area host them. Wooded regions of the Appalachian foothills in eastern Ohio support large populations. The Cuyahoga River valley and forests around Cleveland have established cicada populations. Urban parks in Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Toledo host them reliably. Suburban neighborhoods throughout the state with mature shade trees attract cicadas each summer. The Maumee River valley in the northwest supports populations. Forests around Lake Erie support them. Essentially every part of Ohio with trees provides habitat for cicadas. The/wildlife/ohioguide covers many regional species and habitats. Visit/wildlifeto explore Ohio's natural diversity.
Seasonal Emergence and Timing
Annual cicadas begin emerging in mid-to-late June when soil temperature consistently reaches about 64 degrees Fahrenheit. Peak activity occurs in July and early August. By late August and September, populations decline as adults naturally die off. The warmer southern portions of Ohio often see earlier emergence than cooler northern regions. Periodical cicadas follow a different and highly predictable schedule. Ohio hosts multiple 13-year and 17-year broods that emerge in different parts of the state on different years. These emergences are dramatic, with billions of cicadas emerging simultaneously across specific regions over a period of several weeks. Entomologists and universities track these broods carefully and predict their emergence years well in advance. The State of Ohio Division of Wildlife and Ohio State University Entomology Department maintain records of which broods appear when and where. This makes Ohio an excellent location for studying periodical cicada biology. Residents often mark their calendars for expected emergences. For more on cicada in Ohio, see ourOhio cicada guide.
How to Identify Ohio Cicadas
Ohio cicadas are large insects measuring 1 to 2 inches long with thick, hard-shelled bodies. Most are dark brown or black with reddish, orange, or cream-colored markings on the eyes, wing margins, and legs. The eyes are particularly distinctive, often bright red or dark and very noticeable. Wings are transparent or lightly smoky and held tent-like over the back. The body shows clear segmentation, especially visible on the abdomen. Male cicadas have a special sound-producing organ on the underside of the abdomen that females lack. Only males produce the loud buzzing or droning call. The call is unique to each species and serves exclusively for mating. Periodical cicadas when they emerge show similar appearance to annual varieties but often display more vibrant red coloration. All Ohio cicadas make distinctive daytime buzzing or droning sounds, rising and falling rhythmically. The sound is among the loudest produced by insects and is unmistakable once heard. You can also browseOhio wildlife.
Where Sightings Concentrate in Ohio
Cicadas concentrate in areas with abundant mature hardwood trees. The Hocking Hills region in southeastern Ohio is a reliable hotspot, especially state parks like Old Man's Cave and Cedar Falls. The Wayne National Forest in Vinton and Athena counties regularly supports many cicadas. State parks throughout Ohio including Walnut Creek, Burr Oak, and Ledges State Park host them. The Cuyahoga Valley National Park near Cleveland has excellent populations. Urban parks in major cities including Central Park in Cincinnati and North Park in Cleveland attract many cicadas. Suburban tree-lined neighborhoods throughout Ohio see them reliably. The Maumee Bay Wildlife Area and other Great Lake shore habitats support populations. Forests of northeastern Ohio around Geauga and Lake counties have cicadas. Forested ridges of southeastern Ohio along the Ohio River offer good sightings. For detailed site-specific information, see the/wildlife/ohio/cicadapage.
Cicada Behavior and Ecology
Cicadas spend most of their lives underground. Annual cicada nymphs live underground for 2 to 5 years, slowly feeding on sap drawn from plant roots through their needle-like mouth. When soil temperature becomes consistently warm, nymphs tunnel upward and emerge onto trees and other surfaces to molt. The molting process is dramatic. They split their hard outer skin down the back and emerge with soft bodies that gradually harden over several days. The empty shells, called exuviae, remain attached to bark and are a common sight during peak season. After molting, adult cicadas feed by piercing tree bark and drawing sap. Males position themselves prominently in trees and begin their loud calling. The call serves only one purpose: attracting females for reproduction. Females do not call. After mating, females use a special saw-like organ to cut slits in tree twigs and lay hundreds of eggs. Eggs hatch into tiny nymphs that fall to the soil and burrow underground to begin the cycle anew.
Coexistence and Safety Notes
Cicadas present no danger to humans whatsoever. They do not bite, sting, or carry disease. They are not aggressive and cannot harm people under any circumstances. Many Ohio residents view cicadas as a natural treasure and enjoy the sound of summer. The loud buzzing can be intense when thousands of males call together, reaching over 100 decibels, but this sound is temporary and ends by early fall. Tree damage from cicadas is minimal in most cases. Healthy mature trees easily withstand cicada egg-laying with no lasting harm. Only young trees or trees already stressed by disease or drought may suffer branch loss, and recovery is usually quick. Cicadas are protected wildlife under Ohio law and are considered a natural and important part of the state's ecosystem. They provide essential food for birds, wasps, and other wildlife. Their molted shells are harvested by some predators. After death, they return valuable nutrients to the soil. The/wildlife/ohiohub includes comprehensive wildlife information.
Similar Species and Confusion
Several insects resemble cicadas but are easily distinguished upon inspection. Grasshoppers are often mistaken for cicadas but are much smaller, have long hind legs for jumping, and cannot jump far compared to their size. Cicadas cannot jump at all. Katydids are green and produce chirping or rattling sounds at night, unlike the daytime buzzing of cicadas. Long-horned beetles can look similar but have hard, shiny wing covers that meet in a straight line down the middle of the back. Cicada wings are transparent and overlap slightly. Cicada killer wasps are large predatory wasps with bright yellow and black striped bodies that hunt cicadas. These are not cicadas themselves but are predators of cicadas. Various large beetles occur in Ohio but lack the transparent wings that distinguish cicadas. Once you see and hear a real cicada in Ohio, confusion becomes impossible. The distinctive call is your clearest identifier.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I expect to hear cicadas in Ohio? Annual cicadas typically emerge from mid-June through August, with peak activity in July. Periodical cicadas follow different schedules that are predictable. Check with Ohio State University's Entomology Department for specific brood emergence predictions. Do cicadas cause significant tree damage in Ohio? Most healthy trees suffer minimal or no damage from cicadas. Only young or weak trees might lose small branches. Healthy trees recover quickly if any damage occurs. Why do male cicadas make so much noise? Males call to attract females for reproduction. The loud sound carries through dense forest canopy to reach potential mates over distance. Females do not make sound. Are periodical cicadas dangerous when they emerge in large numbers? No, periodical cicadas are just as harmless as annual cicadas despite their enormous numbers. They do not bite, sting, or carry disease. The massive emergence is a natural population survival strategy.
Plan your cicada sighting in Ohio
5,161 verified cicada records have been logged in Ohio, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Ohio
- Cuyahoga Valley National Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail · Wildlife Watching · Find hotels
- North Country National Scenic Trail · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Perry's Victory & International Peace Memorial · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument · Find hotels
- Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park · Find hotels
More places to see cicada
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